Gunnison River
Black Canyon & Gunnison Gorge

Happening Now: Fish are spooky so move slow and try to make long casts. Nymphing the deep runs and pools will find you the most active fish feeding in this deeper water. Watch the weather this coming weeks, snow or rain can make the roads in very muddy. This recent cold snap has the river unfishable in the morning due to ice so plan on afternoon fishing for the next week.

Most Productive: Worms, midges, and soft hackle Midge emergers have been the most productive. The fish have moved back into the deeper holes, so get those flies deep with long drifts and you should find some fish. Nymphing is the way to go but there can be small hatches through the day that bring fish up depending on the weather.

Water Clarity: Gunni Green

Happening Now: Fishing well both upstream and down from the confluence of the north fork. With the river at winter flows your able to wade around more and even cross in some places. The cold weather has pushed them back to the deep holes so make sure you bring some weight to get your small flies down. Small fly season is now so dust off those 18-22 flies and you should find fish.

Most Productive: Nymphing midge pupa and mayfly emergers will produce some nice fish. The fish have moved back into the deeper holes, so get those flies deep with long drifts and you should find some fish.

Water Clarity: Gunny Green.

Happening Now: Fish are spooky so move slow and try to make long casts. Nymphing the deep runs and pools will find you the most active fish feeding in this deeper water. Watch the weather this coming weeks, snow or rain can make the roads in very muddy.

Most Productive: Worms, midges, and soft hackle emergers have been the most productive. The fish have moved back into the deeper holes, so get those flies deep with long drifts and you should find some fish. Nymphing is the way to go but there can be small hatches through the day that bring fish up.

Water Clarity: Gunni Green

Gunnison (300 cfs): The Black Canyon is simply too dark and cold to fish well in the heart of winter, but the Lower Gunnison (below the Smith Fork confluence) can be outstanding on certain days. In really cold conditions, ice will flow down the channel, but otherwise we expect midges to hatch and fish to feed on them no differently than in other parts of the year. Nymphing riffles and banks with technical midge patterns is the default technique, but study the flats carefully for rising fish. On warm or cloudy days, it is common for adult trout to move into the shallows where water temperatures are slightly higher and tip their noses up for snacks. These are maddeningly tricky fish, requiring 6X tippet and a well-considered fly pattern. Have fun, and remember not to judge your success by the number of fish brought to net.